Robert de Castella MBE

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1 1 Robert de Castella is the only Australian runner to have placed in the top 10 marathon finishers at three straight Olympics. He dominated the world marathon scene throughout the 80 s and was voted the world s best marathon runner for that decade. Although he never won an Olympic medal, he finished in the top ten on three of his four attempts. Deek has earned a revered place in the history of Australian sport, running fifth at the LA Games, winning the world Championship in 1983, setting a world s best time and winning two Commonwealth Games gold medals in 1982 and An Australian cross-country champion at 22, Rob took up marathon running in 1979 and made his Olympic debut one year later at Moscow at age 23, finishing tenth, behind the reigning champion. Two years later, he claimed his first victory and the world record, at the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan. In 1982, Rob won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane and the following January he was voted Australian of the Year and honoured with an MBE. He went on to win two Rotterdam Marathons and the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki and several other major city marathon and races. Rob went into the 1984 LA Olympics as clear favourite, but managed only fifth place in the tough conditions. Two years later, he retained his Commonwealth Games title in Edinburgh and won the Boston Marathon in record time. In 1988 he travel to Seoul for the Olympics and placed eighth. Four years later at Barcelona, he ran 26th. Rob retired from the sport after the 1993 London Marathon.

2 2 Rob was the Director of the Australian Institute of Sport for five years in the early 1990s and heavily involved in establishing the elite sports system being used today by our Olympic athletes and teams. After retiring from competitive sport after his fourth Olympics in 1992, Robert worked for 5 years as Director of the Australian Institute of Sport and more recently as Managing Director of his own company specialising in children s health, SmartStart (Australia). Rob developed and launched SmartStart in 1998, a company targeting children s obesity, overweight and inactivity. Based in Canberra and working through the schools in the ACT, Brisbane and Adelaide, thousands of children are involved in his program. SmartStart is committed to making the health and fitness of students just as important as their literacy and numeracy and has developed the largest longitudinal database of children s health and fitness statistics in Australia, to enable the production of reports and a range of fun and educational activities and services for students, parents, schools and government. He is also involved in many other health programs and activities with charities, government and business. In January, Rob and family, together with some 500 other Canberran s lost their home and all possessions in the horrific bushfires that claimed 4 lives. Rob s strength, positive attitude and leadership helped many people as they struggled with the disaster. He served on the ACT Government s Recovery task force and was instrumental in aiding the affected community recover and regenerate.

3 3 Personal Date of Birth: 27 February 1957 Lives in Canberra Married to Theresa, with three children from his previous marriage, Krista, Trent and Lachlan. Athletic Achievement Major Achievements World Champion, Marathon: 1983, Helsinki Commonwealth Champion, Marathon: 1982 Brisbane (2:09.18), 1986 Edinburgh World Records, Marathon: K Road 1983 Major Marathon wins: Fukuoka 1981, Rotterdam 1983 and 1991, and Boston 1986 Five times under 2:09.00 Nine times under 2:10.00 World Marathoner of the 1980's Member of 18 National Teams Australian Olympic Teams: 1980 (10th), 1984 (5th), 1988 (8th), 1992 (26th) Australian Cross Country Teams: 1979, 1980, 1981,1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988 Australian Marathon Champion: 1979 Australian Cross Country Champion: 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1988

4 4 Academic Profile Educated at Xavier College, Melbourne BSc. Graduated from Swinburne College of Technology in 1981 with a Double Major in Biophysics and Instrumental Science. Publications "Deek" with Mike Jenkinson, 1984 Excellent. A consummate professional and a tireless worker. Deek is a model example to us all. Client "Jog with Deek" with Len Johnson, 1984 "de Castella on Running" with Gayelene Clews, 1984 Smart Sport co-compiled with Wayde Clews 1997 Numerous magazine and newspaper articles Regular columnist for "Australian Triathlete" magazine Weekly column in Canberra Times, Update 2000 Professional Positions and Employment Employed at Prince Henry's Hospital, Melbourne, 1980 Sports Biophysicist at AIS Self employed as Athlete and Sports Consultant since 1981 Director, Australian Institute of Sport, February 1995 Consultant, Focus on You, March August 1996 Consultant, Healthtrac, April July 98 Director, decorp Pty Limited, June current Non Executive Director, RWM Publications Pty Limited, October 1995 June 2001 Non Executive Director, Leisure Australia Incorporated, current Managing Director, SmartStart (Australia) Sept current

5 5 Business Dealings Current International Management Group since 1981 Corporate spokesman and TV, Radio and Print commercials: Centrum Multi Vitamins Television commentary with: BBC, Boston Ch4, ESPN and Australian networks ABC, Ch7, Ch9, Ch10 Events Commentated: Olympics 1996, 2000, Commonwealth Games 1998,1998, World Athletics Championships 1993, 1995, 1997, City to Surf 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003 Audio and video training and sports tapes and TV programs Publication editor and writer Public Speaking, health and fitness, motivation, business strategy and entertainment Sporting and Community Awards MBE, awarded 1983 Australian of the Year, 1983 Keys to the City of Melbourne and the City of Canberra Most popular Australian Sportsman, CAS, 1983, 1984 Australian Sportstar in 1982, 1983 by CAS and ABC Top athlete of the Australasian Continent, 1983 Inducted into the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame, 1986 Foundation Member of the Australian Gallery of Sport IAAF Diploma for Contributions to Sport, 1987

6 6 Community Involvement Founder of Rexona de Castella scholarship, Patron of World Expo, Brisbane, 1988 Television commercials for Red Cross, Anti-Drug Campaign, Olympic Telethon & SIDS Clinic programs for Mazda and John Hancock in the community and schools Former member Australian Athletes' Commission Anti-Smoking advertisements Camp Quality Program Life Education Centres Program Patron, National Heart Foundation (ACT Division) Patron, City to Surf Patron, Brisbane Marathon Patron, Fred Hollows Foundation 500Km Road Relay Patron, SIDS Founder, de Castella-Diadora Development Squad (for talented young distance athletes) Founder, Team Diadora (athlete support program) National Spokesperson, Active Australia Day Board Member, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Chairman of the Selection Committee Healthpact, (Health Promotion Board ACT), Chairman, Member, PM s Team, supporting young aspiring athletes Member, ACT Bushfire Taskforce, following the 2002 Canberra Bushfire

7 7 Boards and Appointments Leisure Australia Foundation, Chairman Leisure Australia Incorporated, Director Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Non Executive Director ACT Olympians Association, Vice President SmartStart (Australia) Pty Limited, Managing Director SmartStart for Kids! Limited, Managing Director RWM Publishing Pty Limited, Director decorp pty limited, Managing Director Prim Minister s Science & Engineering Working Council, Committee member Memberships and Interests Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors Traditional Okinawan Karate, Scuba Diving, Camping, Hiking, Cross-Country Skiing, Fly Fishing, Motorcycle -Touring and track days.